A woman who took her cat last Friday to an animal clinic for treatment of injuries — including a broken jaw — has led to the arrest of a Crossville man on felony cruelty charges, according to a Crossville Police report.
Kylar Hugh Gist, 28, Mockingbird Drive, is charged with a single count of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the incident reported shortly before 1 p.m. April 4.
Police were called to the clinic and met with a veterinarian who told them a woman delivered her cat to the clinic. The feline was unable to close its mouth as a result of the alleged beating, according to Ptl. Mike Roberts’ report.
Police filed a report and responded to the Mockingbird Drive address and met with the cat’s owner. The woman told police her boyfriend became angry because the cat was stressed and “was having difficulty properly using the litter box and was going to the bathroom on the floor.”
The woman added her boyfriend caught the cat hiding in a closet and was in the process of “attempting to choke the cat when he broke the cat’s jaw.” The woman then took her pet to the animal clinic for treatment.
Police were able to make contact with the suspect Monday. He told police he caught the cat defecating on the closet floor. When he attempted to discipline the cat, the cat bit him and “he lost his temper.”
Gist added this was an ongoing problem and acknowledged “he probably went too far.”
It was also confirmed children were present during the incident.
X-rays and statements from all involved were gathered for evidence, and the suspect was booked at the Justice Center.
The case is slated to be heard in General Sessions Court in the future.